DePauw Greeks funding local endowment to make impact

Putnam County Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck (back, left) is joined by DePauw University students Tyler Witherspoon, Shelby Bremer, Elisa Sunshine, Katherine Janowski, Daniel Barth, Mitchell Turnbow, Will Trumaine, Megan Murphy, Abbey Ginn and Sumeru Chatterjee in celebrating a $4,000 donation to the Foundation by the DePauw Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils.

DePauw University's Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (NPC) have donated $4,000 to the Putnam County Community Foundation to fully endow the Endowment for Fraternity and Sorority Philanthropy initiated in 2006.

DePauw's Greeks hope to strengthen bonds between the university campus and the Putnam County community, while highlighting their value of service to others.

The endowment creates the opportunity to award grants to charities in Putnam County and for the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils to meet each year to discuss philanthropy. Together, the two councils hope to choose a different organization to receive the grant annually. Plans to add additional funds to the endowment each year are under way, and the intent is to keep increasing the grant size.

"I am hoping that our grant-making activities unite two important communities within Putnam County," says Megan Murphy, director of philanthropy and service for Panhellenic Council. "I am thrilled that we have finally completed this exciting endowment. Not only does it impact our relationship with the community this year, but for years to come."

IFC and Panhellenic partnered with the Putnam County Community Found-ation with help from Eric Wolfe, DPU Class of 2004. Wolfe, who is now DePauw Greek Life coordinator, was formerly the community development director at the Foundation.

The endowment will add to the philanthropic events that both IFC and NPC host in the Greencastle community. All member fraternities and sororities have strong beliefs in the importance of philanthropy and service, and the endowment will be a tangible confirmation of that commitment.

Contributions are welcome and should be made payable to the Putnam County Community Found-ation with "Fraternity and Sorority Philanthropy" in the memo, and mailed to 2 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, IN 46135. Community Foundation staff members are available to help donors make gifts of cash, stock, retirement assets, life insurance, bequests, real estate and other types of gifts to the endowment.

The Putnam County Community Found-ation was established in 1985 and administers more than 220 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes. To learn more about making a contribution to this endowment or starting a new fund, persons may visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact Elaine Peck at 653-4978.